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Planning board renews conditional‑use permit and grants one‑year extension for 581 Lafayette Road project
Summary
The Planning Board granted a one‑year extension and reauthorized the conditional‑use permit for the Atlas Commons project at 581 Lafayette Road, a mixed‑use development that includes two new buildings and 72 residential units with a 20% workforce housing component (15 units). The board asked staff and DPW to review pedestrian and bus‑stop safety concerns raised by residents.
On April 16 the Portsmouth Planning Board voted to grant a second one‑year extension of the site‑plan approval and reauthorize the conditional‑use permit for Atlas Commons (581 Lafayette Road), a mixed‑use project that adds two buildings containing a total of 72 residential units, including the previously approved workforce‑housing component of 15 units.
John Jagnet (Haley Ward) reviewed the project and reminded the board the CUP had been previously approved in May 2024. He said the extension request contains only minor changes to parking and utilities; the plan retains 165 parking spaces (161 required), off‑site open‑space public‑realm improvements and a sidewalk connection toward Portsmouth High School. The application maintains a 7.6% on‑site community space provision and identified off‑site open space to meet the broader public‑realm requirement.
A public commenter, Anna k Voorsteg, who said she is executive at Crossroads and lives at 35 Pinehurst, welcomed the workforce component but urged the board to consider pedestrian and bus‑stop safety across Lafayette Road for residents who would access transit. Board members agreed staff should coordinate with the Department of Public Works and, where needed, with New Hampshire DOT to review crosswalk timing and bus‑stop access.
The board voted to find the CUP meets the ordinance standards, approved the requested modifications (setbacks, public‑realm improvements located in another zoning district, building footprint and reduced on‑site community space percentage), and extended the site‑plan approval through May 16, 2027, incorporating conditions from the 05/23/2024 decision letter and the staff memo.
What happens next: The applicant retains the previous conditions of approval and the extended timeline; the board asked staff to coordinate with DPW and state DOT as appropriate to review pedestrian safety at bus stops near the site.
